
Sofia Vellano Rubin
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Provenance
Acquired at the Kristin Hjellegjerde Gallery in London in 2021;
A private collection.
Exhibited
1-54 NEW YORK, Kristin Hjellegjerde, New York, 17 May - 23 May 2021
A self-taught mixed media artist Kelechi Nwaneri works to incorporate indigenous symbols into his widely narrative works, resulting in the contemporary depictions of historical and psychological narratives. Nwaneri's work is held in Nigeria, Senegal, Israel, and across numerous collections in the USA.
Part of a triptych, Midnight walk I is the first in the series, detailing the Nigerian folklore story of "Bush baby", a nocturnal animal, the Egbere, that carries a rolled mat that possesses the power to bring virtue and prosperity. The figure accompanying the animal travels with him through the night, ultimately being rewarded with the mat. Traditionally, the tale of the Egbere is a cautionary one in that the creature roams throughout the night crying to attract attention. Should someone find the mat, they may only keep it for seven days absorbing its virtue until the Egbere follows to seek them, crying relentlessly conjuring up fear and torment, subjecting the carrier to eventual death. This twist on the folklore tale not only demonstrates the acknowledgment of the artists heritage, but also provides us with an introspective observation, an element that remains consistent throughout the artists oeuvre.